“I Was a Stranger” Day 1: Genesis 1:26-28

Genesis 1:26-28

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

We’re surrounded by people every single day. People made in the image of God. But how often do we think about that? As we take in the world around us, we perceive people based on all sorts of factors. We observe race, height, smell, clothing, facial expressions – and from this draw all sorts of conclusions. Are the conclusions correct? Perhaps. Are they influenced by stereotypes? Possibly. Probably? The reality is there’s only one thing we know for certain – that person is made in the image of God. How many observations do you make and thoughts do you ponder on BEFORE the thought enters your mind that these people are made in the image of God? There are numerous implications for the way we treat people when we begin with the truth that every person is made in the image of God. Every person has value. Significance. Every person is worthy of honor. Dignity. Respect. There are some people we meet where it’s easy to see that they’re made in the image of God. And there are others where you have to look a little harder. But that doesn’t change the reality. We are all made in the image of God. Do you believe that every person is made in the image of God? I’m not just asking if you’d say you believe it. Do you really believe it? Does your life reflect that? Do your actions toward others show you believe that? How about your attitudes? Your political views? Is the reality that every person is made in the image of God reflected in your worldview and opinions?